[Milsurplus] AN/ARA-8 Homing Adapter

[Jack Antonio]

Hi all

Last few weeks, when I can find the time, I've been putting together
an AN/ARA-8 VHF homing adapter.  This was a system that used two
antennas straddling the center line of the aircraft, tied together
with a phasing harness, and using a motorized coaxial switch to
swich between two feedpoints. If the aircraft was pointed directly
at a transmitting station, the pilot heard a steady tone, if the
station is off to the left, the pilot hears a morse D. If off to the 
right the pilot hears a morse U. It utilizes the aircraft's comm radio
as the receiver, with another coax relay to select between the comm
antenna, and the adapter.

Put it all together for the first time today, and given the
crowded nature of the workshop, and all the reflections
from all the jun...   er, test equipment, it actually seems to work!
(Cheating a little, I'm using a BC-639 as the receiver, until I
can get the SCR-522 put together).

Some questions though, for the group, looking for information.

1.  In doing some research, I have found references to the use of
this system by Pacific Theater P-51 Mustangs, and have even seen
at least one photo of a P-51 with the dual antennas on the dorsal
spine.  The question is, would it be safe to assume that the
AN/ARA-8 was deployed more with an AN/ARC-3 than with an SCR-522?

2. The manuals I have show the installation of the system with
both an SCR-522, and AN/ARC-3. I know that it was also employed
with the AN/ARC-1. Does anyone have any documentation showing the
AN/ARC-1 installation?

3.  The antennas specified in the WWII manuals I have are the
AS-148/ARA-8. This is a wooden blade antenna, but is very different
from the AN-104.  Were there any other antennas ever specified for
AN/ARA-8? Jerry Proc's website lists the system as being installed
on the Canadian Argus patrol aircraft, and a Google search has
a reference to the system being installed on an F-80, but so
far I've had no luck accessing that site. So I'm wondering if
anyone has any documentation on installation of any other type
of aircraft.

Thanks

Jack Antonio WA7DIA